Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa to take charge on Friday
HARARE: Zimbabwe’s incoming leader Emmerson Mnangagwa emerged from hiding on Wednesday, departing neighbouring South Africa to return home in preparation to take power after Robert Mugabe’s stunning resignation.
He will be sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new president Friday morning, the speaker of parliament said, after the ruling ZANU-PF party notified him of its nomination of Mnangagwa to replace Mugabe until the end of the current term next year.
The 75-year-old Mnangagwa fled Zimbabwe after Mugabe fired him earlier this month, leading the military to move in and kick off a series of extraordinary events ending in Mugabe stepping down on Tuesday amid impeachment proceedings.
The privately run Newsday newspaper reported that Mnangagwa was expected “to meet Mugabe for a briefing.”
Several hundred people gathered in anticipation of his arrival. Some carried signs with images of him, suggesting a certain level of organisation behind the jubilant turnout. Signs read “Welcome back, our hero” and “True to your word, you’re back. Welcome.”
Zimbabweans were still reeling from Mugabe’s resignation. They cheered and danced in the streets of Harare, thrilled to be rid of a leader whose early promise after the end of white minority rule in 1980 was overtaken by economic collapse, government dysfunction and human rights violations.
Now the focus turns to Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s longtime deputy who was pushed aside as unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe positioned herself to succeed her husband. Mnangagwa fled the country, claiming threats against his life. That led the military to step in a week ago, opening the door for the ruling party and the people to publicly turn against the president.